For Father's Day: Support Paid Family Leave

You just had a baby and you want to take time off to be with your child. You've read the research that says the bonding time in the first months of a child's life with the parents are critical to her long-term development. But now you have to choose: Give up your pay for a few weeks or months, or lose that critical time with your child.

When I had my two kids, I was lucky that I didn't have to make that choice. My employer allowed me to take paid leave to help care for them. But the truth is that the majority of Americans have to make that choice with every newborn, every adopted child, and every seriously ill family member. That has to change.

That's why, in honor of Father's Day, Kids Action is endorsing the Family Act, legislation by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro to guarantee up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave to care for a newborn, a newly adopted child, or a seriously ill family member. And we're urging Kids Action members, parents and teachers like you, to call and write their U.S. Senators and House members to urge them to co-sponsor and support consideration of the Family Act right away.

There are many reasons why America needs paid family and medical leave for all working people. It's good for business, including by helping small businesses become more competitive in attracting quality employees. It's good for employees, by providing essential economic security and fairness to working families. And only four states offer some type of paid family and medical leave now. But the main reason we support it is because paid family leave is good for children, and we believe that nothing is more important than ensuring all children have the opportunity for a healthy and promising start in life.

Click here to learn more and to take action now. And join us live on Twitter on Thursday, June 16 at 3 pm ET using #WhatDadsNeed to drive home our message that no American should have to choose between family and a paycheck.